The Virtual Milk Bar

This Sixty Minutes Extended Video Interview with Michael Carr-Gregg discusses depression in adolescents and the role the internet plays. Carr-Gregg advocates that we need to be careful not to demonise the internet OR Emo subculture. He also mentions that the internet is a virtual milk bar where kids get together after school. Carr-Gregg's interview provides some useful tips for parents (included at the end of this post) and I particularly liked his question "under what circumstances would you ... rifle through your child's diary?" and his own answer to it "I hope you'd only do it if you thought that there was something wrong, if they weren't communicating with you and if you were really worried about them".

Whilst it is useful that Sixty Minutes has made Carr-Gregg's extended interview available on-line it is also interesting to note that in the interview that went to air (check out the transcript) the internet was slightly demonised:

MAN'S VOICE: I'm not here to tell you what to think. I'm here to suggest to you that there is, in fact, increasingly a dark side to the technology.

I suppose that's commercial television for you... a story isn't a story without a scandal.

Adolescents who do not have mental health issues will not be seeking out sites on the internet that advocate or provide information on suicide and other vices sought out by people with poor mental helath. Ana websites (sites that support anorexia), which have previously featured in the media, are also out there along with an infite number of other sites which raise concerns, however, there are equally as many sites where young people can seek help and support (e.g. Kids Help Line Headroom). Young people who access these sites are usually attracted to them for a reason. And those who stumble across them and are not interested are usually reslient and have good mental health. Where there's a will there's a way. The internet is simply another vehicle for young people to access information and make contact with like minded individuals. We don't not walk down the street because we might trip over. The best way to protect our young people from the demons of the internet is to be aware of their behaviours, educate them (and ourselves) about internet safety and talk to them.

Useful Tips for Parents
Carr-Gregg suggests "the following signs warrant checking out" by parents and are worthy of following up with a GP, if they persist for two weeks or longer:

miserable most of the day, most of the time;
no longer enjoying things they use to enjoy doing;
can't concentrate;
not sleeping or eating in the same way as previously;
seem to be obessed with death, dying, loss or grief;
using substances;
not engaged in school.